HomeMy WebLinkAbout1 - Minutes of 10/11/06OPEN SPACE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes
October 11, 2006
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Ken Dunn Kay Tauscher Bill Briggs
Bruce Bland Allyn Feinberg
STAFF PRESENT
Mike Patton Dean Paschall Ariel Calonne Jim Reeder
Delani Wheeler Dave Kuntz Ronda Romero Cecil Fenio
Don D'Amico Joe Mantione Brad Skowronsld Ste~+@ Armstead
Lynn Riedel Jessie Dulberger
CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM 1- Consideration of the final draYt Eldorado Moit~iit~in/Doudy Draw
Trail Study Area Plan '
Mike Patton preceded the staff presentation by reite~ata~ the directive from council, tlu'ough the
Visitor Master Plan (VMP), that staff analyzes specific a~~~ in the ~s'j+stem and make re~~mmend-
dations regarding visitor access and resource protection. He Yi@ted fhat public comment has been
accepted throughout this Trail Study Area (TSA) process.
Dave Kuntz inuoduced Don D'Amiw, project: '' for the Eldoradb Mountain/Doudy Draw TSA,
T~
Don D'Amico said the plaiining proce'ss began in Janiia~y 2006 and produced an inventory report, an
alternatives report, a draft ~l~ui,and tlie final draft, wlv~'is the focus of the meeting's discussion. Staf~'
held meetings with represent~iiv~s: froin cQmwunitX ~oups and public comment was taken at open
houses and oUi~e~'~3~61I~meetings;,~;omments vvere also solicited through the web site. The Eldorado
Mountain~'oudy Drav`~TS'~~ (EMlbl~' TSA) ineludes a Natural Area (NA) and a Habitat Conservation
rr~-.
Area (fi`~A). Passive Recr~&fi~on Areas astd Agicultural Areas aze not included in this particulaz TSA.
The p[auiiiu process involv~ many aceess considerations - opportunities for activities on more
challenging`t~~`rain, opportunifies for dra~ivatic vistas, opportwuties for more remote experiences and
opportunities fo~ hail connections and loops for various activities. Staff also considered resource
protection opporhinitigs due to the azea's exceptional ecological value - habitat diversity, a mostly
unfragnented landsc~ and ihe presence of corridors for wildlife movement between habitats. Good
~j ~ 3
opportunities for prot6etiug'sensiGve species occur in this TSA by requiring some on-trail oniy travel,
establishing seasonal closures in some areas and by not putting trails in the more sensitive areas.
and Joe Mantione, environmental planner respo~psi ~E `~ writing the management plan. Dave
explained that TSAs aze part of the implementa~tic~n of t~e .~~vl~, P., Thg T~As were established in the
VMP to provide management guides for resource pmYbction as ~ui~l1 as providing recreational
opportunities.
New activities anticipated in the azea include paragliding on Flatirons Vista mesa, mountain biking
west of Highway 93 and new dog and dog-free opportunities in the Natural Area. The plan also calls
for a monitoring program to examine possible impacts from these new activities.
Joe Manrione explained that the diversity of habitats and the potential for recreational opportunities
made this a cl~allenging study azea. There were also varied recommendations from members of the
public. The most controversial issues included: visitor access in the HCA, dog-walking and dog-free
trail opportuniries and mountain biking. Joe reviewed ~he issues and the recommendations contained
in the draft plan.
AGENDAI7'EM lA PAGE 1
Dave Kuntz asked the Boazd for input and recommendations on the Snal draft plan. Staff will take the
recommendations and make appropriate changes with the intent to begin plan implementation later
this year.
Public Participation
Jason Vogel, 3300 Bridger Trail #111, spoke as a Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance (BMA)
representative. By and lazge the BMA supports the final draft of the EM/DD TSA but fek the plan
lacks vision for recreation. More biking connections aze needed system wide.
Sarah Kennedy, 1057 Laraznie Boulevazd #A, supported trail access at night.
Mazk McIntyre, 2045 Balsam Drive, member of BMA, said that tax moqey: supporting OSMP comes
from public appreciation for having access to the land. He supports using the least restrictive method
of management.
David Wert, 2626 Baseline Road, member of BMA, pointed out tUat providing biking opporhmities
lessens the impacts by users, keeps tax dollars in the communify and reduces the need to drive to other
locales for biking eacperiences. He encouraged implementing the VMP as soon as possible.
Kaj Gronholm, 1795 Pearl Street, IMBA boazd member, supports pioviding biking opportunities
without having to drive somewhere.
Mike Barrow, 802 Sheiinau Street, I.ongmont, BMA member, wants OSMI' to be successful
implementing the VMP and believed the TSA pioegss could be bette~. He said equestrians aze not
getting fair treatment in the plan. He recommepil~ f11at all trails be desigiied and built to sustaiuable
standazds and he discouraged any Board chang~s to tfie ~il~n, ,Mr. Bazrow invited representarives of
the Sierra Club, Plan Boulder County, BCNA anc~ the Aucln[ion ~oGiety to meet with members of
BMA in a public fonam to discuss the VMP and TSAs.
Buzz Burrell, 4488 Hamilton Court, presented the pos;tion of the Boulder Outdoor Coalition (BOC).
He ageed with Mike Patton's statement that staff did their best to take as much public input as
possible and provide the best possibl'e plan., He reported that the general BOC position is that tlus the
minimally accep~ablg plan. The plau is as close as it can get. Mr. Burrell pointed out that because this
area is not pristine ttie plan provides more protection tluw it has had in the past. The TSA actually
reduces tlie mileage and "niamber of tiails in the azea. BOC believes that banning dogs in some areas
~r.
and equesfzi,ans in others does riot follow ttlie "least restrictive" management poficy as diiected by the
VMP. He ail'ded that it will be important to build the trails and be careful about closing existing trails
before new ones 8re built.
s,
Guy Burgess, 1290 Albion Road, said the plan represents a workable compromise. He supports
pursuing the least restiiefive way to reach the goals of m~x;m; Tng visitor opportunities while
maintaining environmeiiY~a1 protection. Ae cautioned against polieies ttiat don't balance the cost of
visitor restrictions with oomparable environmental benefits. For example, the current trail alig~unents
discourage access to the gand vistas off the edge of the mesa.
Ed Mills, Box 19212, speakiug for FIDOS, said the dog restrictions planned for the Springbrook
Nahual Area and the HCA depart from management guidelines in the VMP by being more restrictive.
FIDOS recommends voice and sight for NAs and is concemed about the missed opportunity for
maldng the lower loop of Doudy Draw a no-dog trail.
Lori Fuller, 2995 Carnegie Drive, spealdng for FIDOS, said the TSA deparfs from the default
guidelines for dog mauagement as recommended in the VMP. She urged the Boazd to reconsider
restrictions in the HCA and the Springbrook azea. FIDOS encourages cazefiil attention to the research
AGENDATTBM lA PAGE L
~' _ cited in the final draft. Ms. Fuller pointed out one particulaz study that concluded dogs aze not a
contributing factor to the disturbance of birds on OSMP. ~
Dan Sukle, 2637 5~ Street, FIDOS representative, said that members are concemed about the
increased restrictions for dogs. He noted the default recommendations in the VMP and how the TSA
deviated from that. The balance of the orianal VMP should be preserved.
Michael Katz, 42 Benthaven Place, criticized the Ben Lenth study and said he was disappointed in the
presentation of tUat study. He said the study does not reflect the current situation of dogs on OSMP.
Peter Bakwiu, 3054 10'~ Sh~eet, Boulder Trail Runners, supported the Boulder Outdoor Coalition
recommendations. He stressed the importance of not closing trails until net~l~ils aze built, especially
the link between Doudy Draw and Fowler. He questioned the restrictio~`to equ'~strians and dogs and
reported that he experienced no conflict with those activities. Mr. Bal~i~ asked that because of their
historic significance the old roads should not be closed. `'~
Suzanne Webel, 5735 Prospect Road, Long~nont, spoke for, $Y1~'CO. She encd~iged incorporating
the "wow factor" by providing trails with the good views. She urged reinstating ttie Fl,atirons Vista
north loop and that the existing Matterhorn undapass;~come a dasigiated part of ~~ail system.
~~, ...
Spealdng as a member of BCHA, she voiced her conce~li~llat the TSi1 has strayed'&oif~~~e VMP.
She said the azea is especially important to equestrians an~~i~blubl~ing ~hem fi-om g~g off-hail
permits was not using the least restrictive management apprda~~i~ She recommended trying the off-
trail permit system and then making decisions if it doesn't work, On behalf of the BCHA, Ms. Webel
made tluee requests: allow equestrians to b8 eligi~le for off-treil permYYS, keep social hails open until
designated trails are built and establish objecrive~' a for perfor~atiic~e'measurements.
Steve Haymes, 1149 Monroe Drive #IC, support~d the aqiic'stri~ns' request to be eligible for off-trail
pernrits west of the canal.
Tom Isaacson, 3165 Noble Court, r8presentstive of the Flatirons Climbing Council, reported tl~at the
FCC supports portioi5s of~lie TSA Uiat affect climbers. He said the plan is a sensible compromise.
David Buckner, 1077 South Che;ryvale Road, plant ecologist, noted that some special plant
communities~e 1`d'~i~ $ear traif~egments 13 an8 14. The plant communities are associated with
certain g~ilogical feat~e§°8#td are sfable, old plant wmmunities. He encouraged revising the plan to
avoid i~3'acts to those gras'sTaiids becaase little is understood about them.
Hildy Armour, 194 Nugget Hill Road, Jamestown, speaking for BCHA, said the organization was
concemed that ~ugstrian acce9s is threatened. She asked that equestrians be eligible for off-trail
pernuts and tl~at tfre~lan inclut~e measurable, objective, agreed-upon standards, Finally Ms. Armour
asked that the Doudy T3i~w tr5ilhead be redesigned to accommodate pull-through horse trailer pazking
and she offered matching fnnds from BCHA to improve that pazking lot.
Raymond Bridge, 435 South 38`" Street, representing Plan Boulder County, commended staff on the
well thought out plan and review pmcess. He reported that Plan Boulder County supports the OSBT
in implementing the plan as written. He voiced concem about the plant communities that may be
impacted by trail connections 13 and 14. He recommended doing a scientific wildlife and ecosystem
study of that area as well as for the Gosl~awk Ridge trail area. A good baseline study is importaut so
that impacts will be detectable.
Larry MacDonnell, 2160 Linden, observed that it took him a lot of time to understand the plan. He is
concerned that it might be too complicated. He said that the resource is the starting point for visitor
use and that factor seems to be missing. He encouraged beginning the neact TSA with a basic look at
AGENDAITEM IA PAGE 3
the resource and then integrate the uses within that context. Mr. MacDonnell noted that the original
designation of the Springbrook and upper poudy Draw areas as HCA has been radically changed.
Richard Reynolds, 4331 Eldorado Springs Drive, stressed ihat tlris azea should be managed for its
wildness. Trail 13 will slice directly through special habitats. Mr. Reynolds noted problems
associated with the introduction of noxious weeds, bildng and dogs in this azea. If a bildug route is
necessary he asked to find a better route than trail 13. In summary, he recommended no Uail 13, no
trails in the Springbrook azea, no horses in the HCA and the Doudy Draw/Springbrook azeas and no
bikes or dogs west of Doudy Draw. He urged staff not to be dictated by political pressure.
Mary McQuiston, 4331 Eldorado Springs Drive, said balance has not been found in the plan and that
the crown j ewel of the system is being sa~ced as a bike pazk. She noted no "luking only" access
until trail 25 is reached and stressed the l~azards of bike traffic on the tra~s with other users. Trails 13
and 14 cuts right through good habitat and she doesn't understand wh,y-l7ie,azea was downgraded from
its original HCA designation. Ms. McQuiston urged thorough wildlife studies be conducted in the
area before trails aze constructed and to look at the azea in context of the entire system. She
recommended that nothing west of Doudy Draw be changed uniil fiiither studies ~an be completed.
Anne Davidson, 1625 Ponderosa Hill Road, Lyons, opined that equgstrians should be equally eligible
to off-trail permits, that existing trails shouldn't be closetl.until new,Q~pes are built 2nd Y~at the Doudy
Draw trailhead parking be improved and elcpanded with ailditiona~_ facilities. She urg~ OSMI' to
accept the offer from BCHA to help fund those improvements.
Dan Michaels, PO Box 129, Hygiene, operates Rabbit Mountain EqU~Strian Center. He said he
depends on public land to recreate with horses andsupports comwents=by_representatives of BCHA.
Edie Stevens, 2059 Hardscrabble Drive, said plans to build trails 13 and 14 ignore the best scientific
evidence of staff and the testimony of scientists. She said OSMP isn't ready to open additional trails
especially trails for horses, bicycles and dogs. Such trails invite use from people in surrounding
communities and there are uo plans #o;~imit such use. There is no mountain bildng management plan
and she alerted the Boazd to a High County News article about free-riding bicycles and the damage
they cause to trails.
Doug Pagels; 4384 Eldorado Springs Ilrive, asked the Board to look beyond the various users group
deuiands ~nd keep requests in persp8ctive, He stressed that there is a lot at stake. Mr. Pagels related
past efforts to save this azea from development. He said that if the plan goes through as is the azea will
suffer substantial impacts.
Laura Bass, 15529 Navajo Street, Broomfield, member of BCHA, supported the eligibility of
equestrians to get bf~:h~ail permits, wged enlazging the pazldng facilities and recommended leaving the
trails as they are untIl uew ones aze built.
Robyn Rolander, 353 Skylazk Way, said that equestrians should be eligible for off-trail permits and
that the impact is minimal because the use is spread out. She supported keeping trails as they are until
new ones aze built. Ms. Rolander said the land is precious to equestrians who aze also concerned
about impacts. She submitted handouts and signatures.
Nancy Neupert, 333 South 68th Street, believed all segments of the Doudy Draw-Fowler trail should be
dog-free. She reported that dogs aze already allowed on about 95% of the miles of trails and the
decision to allow dogs is due to pressure from dog owners. Because of the exceptional wildlife values
it was designated HCA and the planning should be based accordingly and not on public pressure. Ms.
Neupert stated that there should be more dog-free trails to meet the needs of an under-served
recreational group. She was also concerned about the lack of monitoring and requested adding a basic
monitoring protowl to the plan.
AGENDAI7'EM lA PAGE 4
Werner Neupert, 333 South 68m Street, said the Miller study was done on OSMP and is relevant to the
issues at hand. It addressed leashed dogs on open space and even a leashed dog on trail has impact.
Mr. Neupert was disappointed in the planniug process because it entertains proposals from active user
groups. It is up to people who want to preserve wildlife and passive use of open space to argue against
the proposal. He wged that in the future there should be better representation from users who have not
been accounted for such as the elderly, those with children, etc.
Deane Little, 4511 47th Street, conservation biologist, said the plan appears to be a well balanced
compromise of the different user goups involved. He said the ultimate user group missing is the
plants and animals. The ecologists were treated as another user group. He urged careful consideration
of the impacts dogs off leash and horses off hail will have on the area espeoi~}ly regarding the spread
of invasive weeds.
Robert Yuhnke, 2910 County Road 67, observed that he has seen invasi"v~,av~eds along a social trail in
the Springbrook area that were not there years ago and are gadu~ii~ spread~~~Ie noted that the trail
is used by equestrians. He questioned why the department v~td be willing t~*~- more of the area
for activities that bring in weeds. Mr. Yuhnke added thaf }Ie has only seen an enfb~nent officer in
the area once in 28 years and questioned the ability o~-~ departmept to enforce an}~~tc r~51es.
~ .:. _
Finally, he urged the Board to protect the area azou~~ ti~A"1~;13 and 1~4 by not opening t~e se~ents.
Robert Shatpe, 5995 Marshall Drive, recommended that OSl~II'~liould protect the resources fust. He
relayed the difficulty he had in trying to obt~tin copies of studies°~m the department. Once he got the
documents he noticed that they were neithel'~d, or recent. Mr. 3~ae said that there is not enough
~h.~,
information about the resources present to "` tions. He request~ f'o call a resource
conservation meeting to discuss and evaluate ' ~,i~postpone i~aking decisions until then.
`~ ~ , ,.
Gail Matheson, 231 The Luxe~R~d, Golden, spe~i{~~as a mentbet of BCHA, stated that all
stakeholdeis should be tre,~ted ez~tit'~'liiy, Equestrian'3.~hould be eligible for off-trail pernrits and there
should be standards for ~anagemerittsnd evaluation'~f visitor use and impacts. She recommended
+.,,~,
horse trailer pazking on batfi ~ides o~°+I~ighway 93. lv~9i-~4atheson noted the Matterhom underpass ae a
vital link and said some social.tlrails, slioi~ld semain op~ until new trails are built. She added that
studies show that~~uer+ds are sc'a#~red by othe~~es besides horses.
Gwen Dqoley, 730 Sprucd; gaid she has been observing this process for a long time and aclmowledged
the great effort that has gou~~o the plaz1: She urged the Boazd to listen to sta8'and go forwazd with
the plan i~c~uding careful moiiiforing so corrective action can be taken if needed.
Return to Boatd 8z Staff °
Bill Briggs reiterat~il.~We impatlance of baseline studies. He asked if staff has enough information to
make decisions abouC~fij;ls :'T3on agreed that more informarion is always better but sometimes it is
necessary to move forwaiil"with what is available. The inventory report contains on-the-ground
information gathered rebendy. It is questionable if there is enough information but staff does have
good information. Dave Kuntz added that OSMP has a well-funded and aggressive reseazch program
that provides information to the department. Staff feels there is enough information to move forwazd.
Mike Patton agreed and said that the plan offers far greater protection thau what currently exists. If
staff finds greater or unexpected impacts, management strategies will be adjusted accordingly.
Kay Tauscher asked why equestrians were excluded from getting off-trail permits. Dave responded
that staffthinks many impacts and undesigiated trails were caused by horse use. The charter d'uects
that staff provide horse use in appropriate locations. The terrain in this HCA is erosive and can not
sustain a lot of concenirated horse use. Joe Mantione added that currently horses and dogs have access
all over the system and, although a system-wide shxdy was not conducted, staff determiued that tlus
azea is a special place aud needs more protection.
AGENDAITEM IA PAGE S
~,
Kay asked about historic grazing in the azea and if and where it would be allowed. Dave responded
that grazing has occurred virtually over the whole area and currenUy it is occurring east of the Doudy
Draw trail. Horses are attributed to impacts in areas where grazing is not occurring. Kay said that
staff will need a baseline study as well as a list of criteria if impacts aze to be measured. Mike
acknowledged that conversation wIll be needed in order to set standards for monitoring. The protocol
will be developed with community input. Dave added that there aze well established standards in
some fields but not for others. Staff will have to establish what will be measured, how it will be
measured, when it will happen and how the results will be handled.
Kay questioned why the no-dog trail recommendation at Doudy Draw was not included in the final
draft. Dave responded that there was a no-dog trail proposed in the Doudy=Draw vicinity, but staff
decided against it because it would not be a good trail for that use and w~s not a sufficient no-dog trail
experience. Staff felt the no-dog trail proposed for the western part of the TSA pmvides a good
visitor experience for those visitors who would like a no-dog exga~i~nce iu the system. Regazding
trail alignments, Kay asked for staff to comment on missing oi avti~ding the ``waw factor". Dave said
that staff detennined that the presence of lugh quality native: graaslands and prairie dogs were reasons
to avoid putting a trail in the uea. Mike added that some of the trails proposed do proyide vistas. Joe
said that the goal is to provide a good experience with low impact ~nd staff will haue.to make
adjustments in the field to pick the best alignments. '
Allyn Feinberg questioned the status of the state pazk's acceptanee of the Fowler trail connection.
Dave responded that the pazk staff supports. Lhe proposal and is w~Ui~g to take it to the state pazks'
boazd. Allyn asked what would t~appen if the_pa`oposal was not app%i?ed. Dave said the alternative
would be to go down County Road 67 to Eldorado $prings Drive. Dave qlarified that the Denver
Water Department (DWD) staff would be respqi~sible for,in~ng a decision about the Denver Water
Board road and he acknowledged that one concern is the'safety issue around the canal siphon azea.
Dave explained that OSMP was_~sked by the DWD staff to dev~li~p canal crossing options. Ariel
agreed that the city has access righf$,aud he anticipated that the tliscussion would be productive. Allyn
asked what the scheduie would be fbr;j~uilding the proposed trdils considering the need fOr monitoring
standards. Dave reported that the Goshawk Ridge trail would probably be built first, then trails 13 and
then 14. Dave indicated that a couple;:of loops in Flatiron V ista need to be scheduled in the work plan
also. The suggestion to not close social frails ~intil new ones are designated is understood by staff but
there is a fair amount of use in the area. Staff will be judicious about providing trail opportwuties and
closing undesignated trails.,~111yn sugg~sted the possibility of building a trnil, monitoring it and using
what was learned when building the nezt,tt~til. Dave said that staff shares the concerns about
monitoring and is looldng at 1~;year titneframe to get the information needed.
Bruce Bland asked about the management decision about no-dog trails referred to in the letter from
FIDOS dated September l. Dave said the ageement referenced in the letter is part of the VMP. The
direction from councii is to,provide more no-dog apportunities either by utilizing preexisting trails or
constructing new ones. It-is clear that council wants staff to bring a balance to those decisions. Bmce
said that developing trails in this,area will attract more visitors and consequently more impacts. He
asked if staff has an estimation of anticipated use in 10 years. Daue answered that staff has good
current inforniation based on the visitation studies and that historically the azea has low visitor use. He
agreed that staff anticipates an increase in use by people from nearby communities. Bruce asked if
staff has protocol on what use yields to what use on the multiple use trails. Dave responded that the
general protocol is that all users yield to horses and bikes yield to pedestrians. Bruce said it would be
important to publicize and provide signs explaining the protocol. Biuce then asked about the off-hail
pennitting policy. Mike explained that the intention is to allow as many off-trail pernrits as requested
but staff will be judicious about the number of requests for acdvities in sensitive areas. Dave agreed
that if an area gets a lot of demand staff might make a determination based on resource conditions.
Dave clarified that each trip will require a permit. Mike said that before any restrictions on permits are
established it is important to find out how much demand there actually is.
AGINDA 1TEM IA PAGE E)
Ken Dunu asked about dog use on trail 13 and the concem that there aze not enough no-dog
opportunities. By maldng trail 13 open to dogs people will have to walk a distance on a dog trail to
reach the no-dog trail. Dave said that the on-trail and on-leash requirement for trail 13 is more
applicable to HCA trails. He explained tUat the Springbrook area has natural ecological values and
staff wants to limit impacts there. Staff thought it was fair to provide a way for people to move from
one end of the TSA to the other with their dogs and ttus is the only way that can be done.
Bill Briggs asked how fees would be handled if the trail link into the state park is approved. Dave
agreed that it was a concem. He said that some kind of volunteer fee station could be set up although
remote stations are not favored by pazk staff. A cooperative ageement among OSMP, state park staff
and the bildng groups on how those issues will be solved is expected.
Ken Dunn directed the Boazd to provide comments to staff.
Kay Tauscher thanked staff and the public and agreed that the cw'lr~nt TSA f~ ~~ensible compromise.
She emphasized that the plan reduces social t~ails currently.i~>i~e. She said it°v~d be important to
be consistent with the VMP, management zones and def~~ions. Trails 13 and l~~~tough issues but
that area is not in the HCA and therefore is available e. She~ecommended not ',~~recedent
for dogs in future situations. Kay suggested tUat if ~ ~ vers N~,an area is hea~ ed by off-
trail permit holders, perhaps a trail should be considered s° ac:ts cari be managed. ~he supported
rPma;n;ng flexible with the trail alignments to ensure sustaina~i~~y. Coming up with an evaluation
process with measurable criteria is impoitatrt. She shared concetaT;l~ith closing social trails before new
ones aze built. Because of the historic use l3~-~~~z~es in the area she~~i'~ed cazeful consideration of the
equestsians' requests and to be sensitive to thai ``' ~42verall, Kay ~elY th~t stat~'should move
forwazd with the plan.
i.. ~,:. , . . . ~
Allyn Feinberg recommended gathering baseline ~~nd develbpitig standards for acceptable
conditions after a year or two of tise. It would also l~e very important to have flexibility about trail
alignments. Allyn sug~~ted priorit~iiag constructio`~ of trails to get a sense of use so, if there need to
be adjustments made, thatr~ould be accomplished. She said it is clear that there needs to be bildng
access to Eldorado Canyon'St~Ce Paz'k 7PSi, pQlentiall .~ ~/alker Ranch and this is that opportunity.
She suggested mox~itoring impaz~t~-bn usets'8s~~ iu~~o haue an ongoing method of Snding out what
their issues may tie.
Bruce Blaud stated that every year habitaY iB being lost throughout the area. In addition, the habitat
meant to be' preserved gets degcsded and 'recreation is one source of impacts wlrich accumulate over
time. A couplc of million people are anticipated to live within easy access to these areas so it is
important to est~blish a managep~ent plan that will prevent fiuther dawage to the system. Bruce
stressed that one of th~ most important things will be the monitoring and he recommended that funds
be committed to a pe~siane~ti monitoring progam. Because of the increase in mountsin bildng, effort
should be made to pmvii~ more opporhmities for that activity; but because of the ecological qualities
of the azea it should not be here. He said that he is opposed to the building of these trails and 6aving
them open to mountain bildng. He also wazned that multiple uses aze not always compatible,
especially on an ADA trail. Bruce noted that the Doudy Draw/Springbrook subarea has been closed to
dogs and he fek it should be kept that way. There aze many other opportunities for dogs on open
space. He recommended no additional dog opportunities in that area and the HCA as well. Bruce
added that trai125 (Goshawk Ridge trail) cuts through the Eldorado Mountain HCA and that goes
against the spirit of the HCA designation. Bruce recommended that the Goshawk Ridge trail and trail
13 not be built. Trail 14 could be buIlt but be realigned. Finally, Burce recommended that regardless
of what trails aze built or not built all azeas west and south of Doudy Draw should be closed at night
for wildlife needs.
AGINDA ITEM lA PAGE 7
~,
Ken Dunn described the plan as balanced, overall, and he thanked the public for their input. He did
not support the construction of trai125 because the HCA needs to be protected. He agreed that there
should be trail access to the Mickey Mouse wall. He also agreed that habitat fra~entation
jeopazdizes wildlife movement and the VMP did not support new trails in HCA. Ken supported
Bruce's suggestion of restricting nighttime use. Ken felt the plan is a good balance of competing
interests.
Bill Briggs noted ttiat Uus was his first TSA experience so he attended many meetutgs and read as
much as he could. He said that he was impressed by staffls tremendous work but was concerned that
the thomughness was costly in time and effort. He urged staff to try to be as thorough next time but
do so more expeditiously. He said the end resuk is respectable and he supported it. Bill noted
inconsistencies in the Springbrook area regazding dog management. The on-leash and on-trail
requirement for trail 13 is a departure from the VMP which designates tUat as a no-dog azea. Trail 14
restricts dogs wluch is a double depaztwe from the VMP. He suggeatedFbuilding the trails
incrementally and then designating lioth as on-traiUon-leash trails. Bill sfzted that the HCA is still
being respected even with the conshuction of the Goshawk Ridge trail. He eic;i~ained tl~at the irony
about iviniuilzuig habitat fragmentation is that the railroad n~nsTiglit through the HCA. He supported
building the Goshawk trail and that horses should be alloVVed on tUat trail. He said that a big
opportunity is being missed by not building the F'latirop;Vista Rim.;rail and stressed tlsat since it is a
natural area technically people can go all over. This trail wtauld takt~pFessure off the Springbrook
azea. The Doudy Draw Plateau trail should be reconsideredand c~U1d be a good no-dog Uail. Bill
said equestrians should not be excluded from the permit process~nd suggested imposing restrictions,
if needed, as part of the approval process. The TSA plan must be piear about no closures before trails
are built or the permit system is implemented: 7'he plan is noncom~9ittal about pazldng problems at
trailheads. He suggested adding trailhead pulaug td~he list of monitoring projects. Regazding
implementation, Bill said there aze a lot of ways to accominodate mountain biking on these traIls by
using adaptive management techniques or by using a daily system similaz to Betasso. He
recommended avoiding an outright pan on mountain biking.
7oe Mantione explained that habitat &8~entat3on in the azea is a result of the vast network of social
Vails and the goal is to reduc,e that fr3gmentation as much as possible. Mike Patton clarified that staff
would be conscientious about 1C~vuig:~oCia~ ttails open until desigiated trails aze built but said staff
reserves the right to close newly develop'ed sociai trails or for situations that warrant trai3 closures in
other parts ofthe system.
Ken Dunn took informal votes on the mqrc contentious issues to give staff clear direction:
Prohibit the-~e of lights by mQuntain bikes at night on trails 13 and 14. 4-1 (yes)
Permit dogs an.trail 13 (on trail and on leash) but not on riail 14. 3-2 (yes)
Construct the Flatiron Vista (trail3 aka Mesa Rim trail) as aligned on map. 2-3 (no)
Construct the lower.~pudy Draw loop (trail 1). 3-2 (yes)
Conshuct Goshawk Ridge trail (trai125) wluch allows horses on trail. 3-2 (yes)
Allow equestrians to be eligible to apply for off-trail permits in ttris HCA. 2-3 (no)
ADJOURNMENT - The meeting ad}ourned at 10:05 p.m.
These drafl minutes were prepared by Cecil Fenio.
AGENDA ITEM IA PAGE H